YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST 2016 ANNUAL COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST 2016 Annual Community Impact Report 12 5 HEALTHY LIVING CENTERS The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. DEAR FRIENDS, The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is continuing a journey begun nearly 110 years ago when members of our community looked forward to joining a movement and building a place that would be open to all. We are not a gym. We are a charitable organization determined to transform lives. Every day, in hundreds of ways, the Y is making meaningful impact on the First Coast. Our programs, services and initiatives enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body, and inspire a spirit of service by uniting individuals from all walks of life to participate in and work for positive social change. And that’s just the beginning. We are proud to have served close to 110,000 individuals in 2016 and nearly one quarter of them received financial assistance. We could not do this alone and are so grateful for your support that allows us to make sure our children, families and neighbors have what they need to achieve their best. Together, we are strengthening our community. For a better us, Eric K. Mann President & CEO Michael D. Kelly Chairman, Board of Directors Go ahead. Read on. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CAMP IMMOKALEE Few environments are as special as Camp Immokalee, our resident camp. Since 1908, this wooded wonderland on the shores of Lake Brooklyn in Keystone Heights has provided a place where kids can become a community as they learn new skills, make new friends and become more independent. WHERE Camp Immokalee welcomed a few new residents in 2016: horses Razzle Dazzle and Rowdy as part of the Equestrian program, and THE MAGIC a Gopher Tortoise colony that is part of the Outdoor Education HAPPENS initiative. CAMP IMMOKALEE SERVED 583 children IN SUMMER 2016. Nearly 600 children experienced Camp Immokalee this past summer. Almost half of them had been to camp before and more than 150 of the new campers loved it so much, they signed up for at least one more week! Special thanks to the Camp Immokalee Alumni Association, Even the Tooth Fairy visited Camp which led a record 2,010 volunteer hours at Camp this past year. Nearly 60 dedicated volunteers helped with various projects Immokalee this summer! With the help of including cabin restoration, water main repairs and painting two of our outstanding counselors, Patrick the archery range. Their cumulative contributions are valued at & Chris, the Tooth Fairy was able to find the nearly $100,000. bunk with a waiting tooth in Owl Cabin! Y READS! DUVAL & CLAY COUNTIES KINGS TRAIL ELEMENTARY • JOHN E. FORD ELEMENTARY • MONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY TWIN LAKES ACADEMY ELEMENTARY 98% of students showed improvement in self- 202 students confidence, behavior and performance. (Based on year-end final teacher surveys.) IN Y READS! GRADES K-3 Thingamajig Thingamajig gives local kids a full day of hands-on and enriching activities that inspire creativity and innovation through science, technology, engineering, math, healthy living and so much more. OVER 700 CAMP PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED THE THINGAMAJIG STEM CONVENTION. SUMMER DAY CAMP Nearly, 3,500 camp explorers took a trip “Around the World” at YMCA Super Summer Adventure Day Camp. They learned about cultural diversity and how understanding and accepting differences in people contributes to a better world. DAY CAMP BY THE NUMBERS 10,172 CHARACTER BRACELETS EARNED 2,003,476 MINUTES SPENT READING I like that values and character are taught in addition to the games and fun. She learns to think about others 1,397 and not just herself. She sees children CAMPERS ACHIEVED A GOAL of all colors, family backgrounds and ethnicities, and she learns about how to be a good citizen in the world. 38,335 - DAY CAMP PARENT MEALS SERVED IN BAS AND DAY CAMP FOUNDED IN 2009, Tiger Academy provides not only a high-quality education for the children growing up in northwest Jacksonville, but also the encouragement and support they need to succeed. v EXCELLENCE AT TIGER ACADEMY Teaching for 42 years has taught Susan Harper many lessons, but none prepared her for the surprise she received in April. The kindergarten teacher learned she was one of four recipients of the 2016 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching. Established by Gilchrist Berg, a Jacksonville-area businessman and longtime YMCA supporter, teachers are nominated based on criteria including evidence of sustained inspiration to THIRTY-THREE students, evidence of sustained teaching students graduated from Tiger Academy, the YMCA’s excellence, and 10 or more years in the Charter School, in June. This ceremony was especially classroom. bittersweet because within the graduating class was “I call them my kids,” said Harper of her a group of fifth graders who had been with Tiger students as they began to run up and Academy since the school opened. “I’ve watched them hug her after she received her award. grow from four-year-olds to big, tall, middle-schoolers Her dedication quickly became evident, to be,” said Principal Charles McWhite. as Harper swiftly resumed teaching her students despite the media presence, camera flashes, and applause. “THEY FEEL LIKE A FAMILY.” “I have loved my children being in this program from K-6th grade. Thank you for being everything I needed you to be as a child care provider. You have no idea how much you’ve impacted me as a parent and my home as a family knowing our kids attend the Y!” - BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PARENT QUICK FACTS: TEEN LEADERS Take Stock in Children in Clay County • 100% of high school seniors graduated • $88,000 in scholarships for seniors Youth in Government • 9 First Coast YMCA chapters • Johnson Family YMCA delegate chosen to attend the Conference on National Affairs; first time for a student from urban Duval County Teen Forward • Based at the Johnson Family YMCA • 8 participants chosen to attend Y-Corps or completed Junior Lifeguard training • Completed 4,200 hours of STEM activities, alternative literacy education, college and career pathing, career symposiums and workplace shadowing Ponte Vedra Y Teen Board • Raised $1,125 in Dodgeball for a Cause Tournament • Implemented and planned volunteer portion of the Turkey Trot 5K The First Coast YMCA provides Ponte Vedra Teen After School Program • Produced 5 harvests through SEEDifferently™ programs where teens can have Growing Academy fun, build self-worth and gain • Revamped and replanted the flower garden exposure to new opportunities, • Created a SWAT club and elected officers helping them realize and nurture their potential. BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL: TEAM UP PROGRAM PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS’ SUCCESS George Washington Carver NON- & Rufus E. Payne Elementary TEAM UP TEAM UP PROMOTION RATE: 94% 88% SCHOOL DAY ATTENDANCE: 76% 43% LEVEL 3+ (MATH): 55% 36% LEVEL 3+ (READING): 40% 35% HEALTHY LIVING PARTNERSHIPS IN HEALTH Joined by Mayor Lenny Curry and nearly 500 First Coast “Our journey with the Y has just residents, the new Winston Family YMCA opened its doors on begun, and we are eager to watch August 26, 2016. Our new flagship branch replaced the Yates this relationship grow for the future Family YMCA, which served the Riverside and neighboring communities for more than six decades. good of our community.” In its first month of opening, the Winston Family YMCA received - HUGH GREENE more than 35,000 visits and now averages more than 1,000 PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BAPTIST HEALTH daily. We are proud to be a place where people of all ages and from all walks of life have access to resources to become “With our partners in healthcare, we healthier in spirit, mind and body. can fulfill our vision to help people As the hub of the First Coast Y’s community-focused efforts achieve their highest quality of life.” to reduce chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, the Winston Family YMCA is home to the Luther and Blanche - DOUG BAER Coggin Family Healthy Living Center. We work with our partners CEO OF BROOKS REHABILITATION Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation and Florida Blue to deliver programs focusing on prevention, rehabilitation and recovery. “We are committed to helping people This collaborative effort is helping transform the lives of people achieve better, healthful habits by like Atrina Baker. She has struggled with weight issues her entire providing support to the communities life but now has two committed allies in her corner: Winston we serve. We are honored to be part Family YMCA leader Brooke Foerman and Baptist Health Wellness Coach Cortney Surrency. “In my heart, there was no of the Winston Family YMCA.” hope and dream in me ever being fit and healthy,” said Baker. “Because of these young ladies’ double power, I am reborn.” - PAT GERAGHTY CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF FLORIDA BLUE “Because of these young ladies’ double power, I am reborn.” Healthy Living Center services are available at no or low cost to everyone in the community and a YMCA membership is not required. In addition to the Winston Family YMCA, there are Healthy Living Centers at the Williams Family YMCA in Mandarin, the Ponte Vedra YMCA, the Johnson Family YMCA in Northwest Jacksonville and next door to the new YMCA at Baptist North inside the Baptist North Medical Campus. Since it’s opening in August, the Winston Family YMCA has received the following accolades: Brooke and BUILDING BLOCK AWARD FOR Cortney, partners ADVANCING THE URBAN CORE at the Luther & AT 2016 LISC COMMUNITY Blanche Coggin DEVELOPMENT AWARDS • #DTJAX Family Healthy AWARDS PROJECT OF THE YEAR • Living Center at FINALIST FOR THE ULI AWARDS FOR the Winston Y.